How to learn C programming?

Whether you’re learning C programming for software development, systems programming, or academic purposes, having a clear goal can guide your learning. Consistent practice with coding and debugging is critical. Join communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit's r/C_Programming to ask questions and share knowledge. Work on real projects such as creating small programs. Introduction to C and C++ Specialization by Duke University on is a great starting resource.

What are the best C programming courses on Coursera?

Top options include C Programming for Beginners from Duke University and C Programming for Everybody from the University of Michigan . These courses cover everything from basic syntax to advanced topics like pointers, memory management, and data structures .

Can I learn C programming for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many C programming courses offer a free audit option, allowing learners to access video lessons and reading materials at no cost. To complete assignments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a C programming course?

You’ll learn how to write C code, understand control structures (like loops and conditionals), use functions, work with arrays and strings, and manage memory with pointers. Some courses also cover debugging and testing C programs.

Do I need coding experience to start learning C programming?

Not at all. Many courses are designed for beginners and introduce C concepts step by step. However, some familiarity with basic programming logic can be helpful, especially if you want to move on to more advanced topics or other programming languages.

"Can Coursera’s C programming courses help me in my career? "

Yes. C programming is fundamental in areas like embedded systems , game development , and operating systems. Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, strengthen your programming foundation, and prepare for roles that require low-level programming expertise.

Top C Programming Courses - Learn C Programming Online

Find the Best C Programming Course for Your Goals

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Holistic Mobile App Design & Development
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Docker (Software), Mobile Development, Cross Platform Development, Azure DevOps, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Containerization, Microservices, User Interface (UI), UI Components, ASP.NET, DevOps, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, .NET Framework, Unit Testing, Development Environment, Development Testing, Performance Tuning, Software Testing, Data Security
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Big Data Analysis with Scala and Spark (Scala 2 version)
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Scala Programming, Apache Hadoop, Big Data, Data Manipulation, Distributed Computing, Data Processing, Performance Tuning, Programming Principles
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Fundamentals of Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis, Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Spreadsheet Software, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Analytics, Quantitative Research, Data Cleansing, Data Processing, Data Collection, Advanced Analytics, Statistics, Predictive Analytics, Data Presentation, Regression Analysis, Data Visualization, SQL
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Introduction to Java as a Second Language
Skills you'll gain: Java, Java Programming, Eclipse (Software), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Computer Programming, Program Development, Virtual Machines, Web Applications, Software Installation
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Driven Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Correlation Analysis, Data Visualization, Statistical Software, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis, Analytical Skills, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Engineering Management, R Programming, Probability & Statistics, Variance Analysis, Regression Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Infosec
Python for Command-and-control, Exfiltration and Impact
Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Cyber Operations, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Incident Response, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Python Programming, Encryption, Network Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
40 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development with Python
Skills you'll gain: Web Development, Flask (Web Framework), Restful API, Selenium (Software), Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Secure Coding, Object-Relational Mapping, JavaScript Frameworks, Application Security, Application Deployment, Cloud Applications, HTML and CSS, Back-End Web Development, Databases, Application Programming Interface (API), Microsoft Azure, Vue.JS, Relational Databases
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IBM
Machine Learning Rapid Prototyping with IBM Watson Studio
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Data Processing, Data Cleansing, Applied Machine Learning, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Predictive Modeling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Automation, Machine Learning Methods, Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Performance Tuning
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Databricks
Introduction to Computational Statistics for Data Scientists
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Statistics, Databricks, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Modeling, Probability, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Jupyter, Regression Analysis, Statistical Programming, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Machine Learning, Probability Distribution, Data Science, Markov Model, Statistics, NumPy, Simulations, Mathematical Software, Statistical Inference
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
109 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Advanced AI and Machine Learning Techniques and Capstone
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Methods, Scalability, Machine Learning, Distributed Computing, Tensorflow, Deep Learning, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Artificial Neural Networks, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Microsoft Azure, Information Privacy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
EC-Council
Secure Full Stack MEAN Developer
Skills you'll gain: Node.JS, MongoDB, Angular, Full-Stack Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Restful API, Web Applications, Web Development, NoSQL, Front-End Web Development, Application Security, Web Development Tools, Web Servers, Application Programming Interface (API), Javascript, Back-End Web Development
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to SQL Window Functions
Skills you'll gain: SQL, PostgreSQL, Query Languages, Data Manipulation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours